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Iago As A Manipulator In Shakespeare's Othello

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In William Shakespeare’s Othello, Iago is the master manipulator that caused all the problems and deceit in others in, Not Othello. In William Shakespeare’s Othello, Iago is far more culpable than Othello for the deaths of everyone in the play, because Iago is a manipulator and caused everyone to distrust, betray and kill each other, an example being how he caused Othello to kill Desdemona. Iago caused people to distrust each other by manipulating everyone, which caused everyone to kill each other because they trusted Iago and fell victim to his manipulative lies.
Iago manipulated Brabantio, Cassio, and Othello. Firstly, Iago manipulated Brabantio first. This is proven by the quote “Call up her father. Rouse him. Make after him, poison his …show more content…

In this quote, Iago is seen with Roderigo, telling him to call Brabantio, Desdemona’s father, to tell him about Desdemona and Othello’s marriage, in order to stir up drama in his life, so he can start manipulating other characters later on to achieve his goal of ruining Othello’s life because he doesn’t like him. Secondly, he manipulated Cassio into getting into a drunk fight. This is proven by the quote “If I can fasten but one cup upon him With that which he hath drunk tonight already, He’ll be as full of quarrel and offense” (Shakespeare 2.3.49-51). This passage directly proves Iago made Cassio drink too much in order to get him to fight Montano, so he could use that as a way to get Cassio fired from his position and then use that as a way to frame Cassio as someone who is secretly in a relationship with Desdemona and ruin Othello’s marriage. Thirdly, he manipulated Othello into thinking Desdemona is cheating on him. This is proven by the quote “Therefore, as I am bound, Receive it from me. I speak not yet of proof. Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio” (Shakespeare …show more content…

Iago and Roderigo injured Cassio. The passage proving this is “I am maimed forever! Help, ho! Murder, murder!” (Shakespeare 5.1.29). Cassio is seen as being shocked after he is stabbed by Iago in the leg. Cassio thinks he will die as he screams murder again and again. At first, Roderigo was supposed to kill Cassio but he was injured by Cassio himself. Iago made Othello kill Desdemona. The passage proving this is “Do it not with poison. Strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated.” (Shakespeare 4.1.228-229). Iago has convinced Othello that Desdemona is cheating, and is telling him to kill her, and even suggests a method. By this point in the play, Iago’s plan to manipulate everyone is working and has made a lot of progress. Iago made Othello kill himself. The passage proving this is “I kissed thee ere I killed thee. No way but this, Killing myself, to die upon a kiss” (Shakespeare 5.2.420-421). Othello is saying his last words before he dies as he realises how much Iago deceived him, and how he murdered Desdemona in cold blood, he feels regret and apologises to Desdemona. Overall, Iago’s manipulation, lies and deceit caused the deaths of many in the

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